A changeling suffers from an embarrassing affliction that causes him to shape shift whenever he has the hiccups. Dealing with it is half the problem, when Chrysalis also sends him on an infiltration mission as well.

Even a positive change can be intimidating; regrets and nostalgia make it hard to move forward. I can't just hold on to the past forever, though; there are people who need me. For them, I'll turn my regret of the past to hope for the future.

Twilight receives a late Hearthswarming gift from Chrysalis. Half changeling, half pony, all mischief. Sure she coccoons her carrots away and her idea of making her bed is building a nest, but she's otherwise like any other filly, right?

Abandoned. Abandoned by his own species. That's all Shatter ever knew about what was coming to him. How could anyone appreciate a changeling who was useless? But, how could anypony, one specific unicorn out of all mares, care for him?